Good luck to those trying to get into FCA. I know a few chaps who have been offered positions recently.
Having joined Monarch last winter I would say that it is much better than is being portrayed on this site. The pension issue is still being dealt with and the pay scale is now basically bridged to the old one. To be honest if one did an entire career here you would hardly know the difference.
The real change is the potential time to command. As it was high in the past this is now changing. With the Scheduled stuff growing very quickly it is possible and I stress possible that those taken on last winter (early in recruitment) may see a crack at the left seat in only a couple of years. The company has hired many CTC cadets in the past who may or may not have the required hours for command.
All and all both good companies going down different roads.
Good luck.